On-loan defender Freddie Veseli made his first appearance for League One Port Vale since mid-September as a centre-half as the Valiants beat Rochdale 1-0 at home.
The 21-year-old had been unable to break back into the side after suffering a rib injury but he impressed recently-appointed manager Rob Page in a makeshift central defensive partnership alongside Chris Robertson with Vale's regular pairing unavailable.
"Robbo has not featured at all and Freddie Veseli has not played centre-half,” Page said after the game. "Call it a gamble or what you want, but I had enough confidence in the lads to go out and give their best.
"They certainly did that, I thought there were two big performances from the two centre-backs. Robbo won some great headers and Freddie at the end was outstanding as well."
Summer Town trialist Achille Campion was amongst the Valiants' unused subs.
Former Swiss U21 international Veseli is on a half-season loan at Vale Park and manager Mick McCarthy has said he can leave on a permanent basis.
Elsewhere, striker Frank Nouble played the full 90 minutes as Coventry lost 1-0 to Notts County at the Ricoh Arena.
Young defender Omar Sowumni was an unused sub as Vanarama Conference Braintree beat Wrexham 1-0 at home as his loan spell with the Iron came to an end.
In the same league, Jack Marriott and Woking are in action away against Halifax on Sunday afternoon.
Midfielder Adam McDonnell, 17, won his first Republic of Ireland U19 cap as an 87th minute sub as his side beat Gibraltar 4-1 in Wexford to secure their place in the next stage of qualification for the European Championships.
The Irish youngsters face group leaders Switzerland in their final game at Waterford's RSC on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Town left-back Tyrone Mings was at Leiston’s Victory Road to watch the Ryman Premier League side beat Paulton Rovers 3-2 in the FA Trophy second qualifying round this afternoon.
Evo-Stik League Southern club Paulton are from the Bristol area and the 21-year-old is understood to know some of their players from his time playing non-league football in the west country with Yate Town and Chippenham.